Because… Madigan!
Tuesday, May 16, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Gov. Rauner writing in the SJ-R…
Everyone seems to have a powerful lobbyist in Springfield but you, the taxpayers. That’s why you elected me. I’m here to fight for you and stop career Chicago politicians from squeezing you dry.
For the last two years, the career Chicago politicians who run the General Assembly have been focused on one thing: Raising your taxes without any fundamental changes to their broken system. No real spending reductions or hard spending caps to balance the budget for the long run. No economic reforms to grow our economy and bring high-paying jobs back to Illinois. No relief from skyrocketing property taxes or term limits on the career politicians. Just higher taxes to fuel more government spending and bailouts for Chicago. The Democrat majority has been in power for more than 30 years, and they’ve overseen our continuous deficits, frequent tax hikes, job losses and more than $180 billion in debt.
Plenty of powerful lobbyists are on their side. They’re just fine with an insider-rigged system that raises your taxes and rewards their special interests. But for two years we’ve been your voice in the state Capitol — standing up for you to say enough is enough.
Two years into our state budget impasse, it’s encouraging that some Democrats are finally willing to engage in serious negotiations to resolve our differences. But as we approach the end of the legislative session, many of them are buckling under enormous pressure from Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, powerful lobbyists and special interests who want to maintain the status quo.
That’s what the column in Monday’s edition of The State Journal-Register by Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago was really all about. Republicans are pressing for a good deal for taxpayers and the pressure is mounting on Democrats not to close the final gaps.
It’s always a good idea to chastise Cullerton and his caucus for buckling to Madigan. Yep. That’ll work wonders, I’m sure.
* The other day, I asked the Senate President’s spokesman this question: Does Senate President Cullerton believe that Gov. Rauner really wants a deal on the budget and non-budget items?
He took the question to Cullerton and this is his answer…
Yes, because I refuse to believe that the governor of Illinois would desire otherwise.
- slow down - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:01 am:
Always campaigning, but never governing.
- MissingG - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:02 am:
Has Rauner registered as a lobbyist with the SoS?
- The Captain - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:05 am:
I admire President Cullerton for his faith in the high road and his relentless, repeated attempts to take the high road to get a budget deal but at some point you have to face up to the fact that your January deadline has long since passed, it’s late May and your negotiating partners are still sabotaging your efforts both publicly and privately.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:06 am:
He is right you know
- A Non - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:10 am:
Of course, bVR wants a budget. But only if it’s exactly on his terms. What he doesn’t want to do is compromise.
- Can - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:10 am:
Next time you’re lobbying for us taxpayers, have your agency directors point out places where they can cut spending next time they’re testifying before committee.
- AnonymousOne - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:11 am:
So where’s the positive results of this slashing?
- IRLJ - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:12 am:
Yes, his message is so 2014.
But look at the bright side.
At least he hasn’t leaked classified information!
- Mr. K - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:16 am:
How are ” career Chicago politicians from squeezing you dry” any differerent from a billionaire governor squeezing me dry?
I’m squozed both ways. The result is the same.
And what, I’m supposed to thank the governor?
- Swift - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:17 am:
He’s starting to slip, no mention of public sector unions in this diatribe.
- Can - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:17 am:
Because if you and your staff are unable to identify spending cuts, then you have to increase taxes. It’s one or the other.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:25 am:
Rauner really needs some new material. All he does lately is repeat himself while adding nothing new or constructive to the dialog.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:26 am:
Governor Rauner, can fulfill his Article VIII, Section 2, (a) requirement, and Madigan can’t do anything about it.
But, if we’re honest, Rauner, even with unmeasurable budgetary “reforms” like term limits, as one, Rauner would have to put HIS name to damaging and painful cuts, hurting Illinoisans, and there aren’t enough cuts to cover normal operations and the backlog of bills, so Rauner, (with the devastating cuts HE would have to single out) will have to sign, arguably the single largest permanent income tax increase in Illinois history.
Recap….
On Rauner’s own, he could present a balanced budget with singled out, devastating cuts, and propose arguably the single largest permanent income tax increase in state history… so Rauner needs someone or something to prevent… you guessed it… a governor owning this solution.
It’s not an accident that Rauner’s own budget director and Rauner’s own agency heads outright refused… refused… to name a single cut to a senate committee.
It’s not by happenstance that Rauner tries to peddle that he (Rauner) will raise taxes “if”, because it’s not an option, Rauner needs to have his out for a required element. The problem is he can say it publicly if he acknowledges privately, “I know, it’s not optional, taxes will be raised”, then… leave his partners alone as they help with the “lift”
It’s not s coincidence that time after time Rauner will undercut Cullerton, Radogno, any and every deal gets blown up by Rauner, because Rauner has said himself, he’s winning. Why stop winning? No budget. damage continues. Dems finally cave, get the Labor damage Rauner is desperate to get.
This letter above… it’s Rauner again stalling, being the phony to real governing, blaming for the damage Rauner gets, passively of course, of the budgetary blame Rauner won’t sign, or being forced to sign, after Labor is destroyed “enough”
Diana Rauner, the Democrat taking the side and putting her name to millions to destroy social services… this letter is what she thinks her name and her millions should do to her party, because it’s a business decision.
This letter?
Democrats losing again. Rauner owning the message. Rauner owning the day, with the Democrat Diana Rauner donating millions in her name to work against Democratic messaging.
“Short term pain for big ling term gain” - Gov. Rauner
Some things, Governor, just won’t come back. It’s business decision, and you’re find with that. This letter helps you sleep at night.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:28 am:
Sure, Rauner wants a budget. But first, he wants the Democrats to capitulate on his entire agenda. Then and only then will Rauner allow the Democrats to raise taxes.
- cdog - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:30 am:
Rauner is all talk, a one-trick pony. Regardless of his 10$ message, the man exhibits a perceivable void-ness.
(Btw IRLJ, CNN leaked the same info weeks ago. Not exactly an earthshaking revelation. Much less damning than HRC talking about nuke responses during the debates)
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:34 am:
No Budget and not paying the state’s bills. Heck of a job Bruce.
- Lakeview Dude - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:35 am:
As a Chicago resident, I welcome my career Chicago politician overlords. Is Good Guy Rauner lookin’ out for me too? I’m also a hardworkin’ taxpayer!
- JoanP - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:40 am:
@ President Cullerton:
I’d like to believe that, too, but you can’t disregard the man’s behavior since he took office. He has shown no evidence of wanting any sort of deal, other than “my way or the highway”. He’s forfeited the right to the benefit of the doubt.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:45 am:
He repeats his talking points, refuses to answer questions and offers no plan to achieve any of his goals. I’m not clear on what his end game is anymore. He can blame Madigan all he wants but Madigan will be reelected in 2018. His legacy will be four years without a budget or any other significant accomplishment other than not going to prison. Talk about a lost opportunity.
- RNUG - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:48 am:
The budget Rauner wants comes with absolute authority and discretion to cut anywhere he wants and to move money anywhere he wants.
Let’s be blunt here; he’s NEVER getting that kind of latitude like he had in the private sector. So he’s not going to get a budget deal like he wants.
- RNUG - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:50 am:
== other than not going to prison. ==
Still a year and a half to go.
- Big Joe - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:50 am:
Bruce, if you really want to help the taxpayers like me, do the doable now, then leave the state in 2018. That would be the absolute BEST thing you can do for us taxpayers.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:53 am:
If you take Rauner at his word, then tripling the GRF operating deficit and counting, gutting higher ed and social services — with thousands of layoffs and loss of services to more than a million — and shorting K-12 by a billion is “better,” in his mind, then not passing his shifting “agenda” for which he can offer no rational or quantifiable ROI.
If you believe Rauner is sincere in that, you must also believe that he’s stupid or nuts. Neither is the case.He’s just profoundly dishonest and believes citizens are morons.
This destruction is the plan in action and will continue until he stops it or GOP legislators join in veto overrides.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:56 am:
“Yes, because I refuse to believe that the governor of Illinois would desire otherwise.”
We’ve moved from the realm of politics into matters of faith. And I do not share the Senate President’s belief in things unseen.
– MrJM
- Streator Curmudgeon - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 9:57 am:
Governor, whether you like it or not, you are now a politician. All the definitions of ‘politician’ at dictionary.com describe you, but I like the second one best:
“a seeker or holder of public office, who is more concerned about winning favor or retaining power than about maintaining principles.”
- illinoised - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 10:07 am:
Rauner knows he waited too long for a decent outcome for him. He is grasping at straws. “One-term-failure” will be his legacy. I look forward to the next governor, hopes that one realizes the point of the job is to govern.
- Jibba - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 10:18 am:
Rauner will not have a budget except on his terms. His terms are not acceptable in any way to Dems. The Dems don’t have the numbers on their own to make a truly balanced budget with spending near current levels ($38-40B or so). Stalemate, while the state burns.
Rauner would continue this way for the rest of his term and hope to blame it on the Dems, and pick up a few more seats while Universities and social services close, trying the bury the truth with campaign ads. He doesn’t care. Dems cannot allow that to happen in good conscience, but they cannot and should not try to raise taxes on their own.
Therefore, the only choice is to release a truly balanced budget ($32B), outlining drastic cuts needed to get there, apologizing loudly and blaming Rauner and the GOP caucus loudly and continuously. Many in Illinois would applaud such a budget, being insulated from the pain it would cause. But let the public outcry begin, and hope that puts pressure on ordinary Rs.
This is just game theory. Dems can’t force a win out of this (lacking help from the courts), but they can lose, and have been losing. Dems are being hurt by the lack of budget, they will get more hurt if they alone put forth a solution that raises taxes. Rs don’t seem to be hurt by the games due to the Madigan angle. Therefore, take your opponent’s weapon away by being “fiscally responsible” and “doing their job”, which might take some of the hurt away. The truly balanced budget doesn’t to have to pass or even get voted on, but people need to know who gets hurt and how much.
The second pressure point should be a total shutdown of state government of July 1. No aid should go to schools this year, no partial budget, nothing. The public will be the only thing that can move Rauner, if anything can. Maybe regular Rs will come to the table. I doubt Rauner will. He doesn’t care.
- Jibba - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 10:21 am:
The other reason to start with austerity budgets (if a tax hike is not coming soon) is that we may have a Dem governor next term. Would you want to be that guy who cleans up this ungodly mess? How could anyone pay off a backlog of $28B in unpaid bills without a tax increase, even if you bond it out? The pain from the cleanup needs to start now and be called the Rauner tax. Blame needs to be centered on Rauner, who caused the mess.
- RIJ - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 10:29 am:
Brucie, PLEASE don’t lobby for me! You “lobbied” me out of a job, you “lobbied” me into having to find new health care providers who would accept my insurance, and you “lobbied” Illinois into an economic melt-down. Don’t do me any more favors.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 10:29 am:
When is this Governor going to take responsibility for anything? He’s forever the victim. I get there is plenty of blame to go around for the state’s woes but it is an irrefutable fact that since he was elected this state’s decline has moved to breakneck speed and he has had everything to do with that. Take some responsibility for once, Governor. You are in the big boy chair. Act like a Governor for once instead of blaming everyone else.
- RIJ - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 10:33 am:
We need a Bruce the Lobster cartoon logo!
- cdog - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 10:53 am:
Jibba makes some very good points. I would fall off my chair if Dems started thinking through their gamesmanship more strategically, as described by Jibba.
- NorthsideNoMore - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 11:27 am:
and this is Why business folks don’t make good politicians. Ya gotta respect your adversaries and the process not just blast them and it. they have staying power and have built allegiances, business folks buy their allegiances. Let the new money flow campaign peeps gotta eat too.
- Jocko - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 11:33 am:
==Rauner will not have a budget except on his terms.==
Which are what, specifically? Along those lines, what are the ROI for these specific terms, more than 1.4%?
BTW, I’d like you to trade your $34K car for a $500 laptop…those are my terms. Do we have a deal?
- Flynn's mom - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 11:43 am:
Rauner’s shtick is old and annoying.
#doyourjob
- Rabid - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 1:29 pm:
This has to be Goldie’s handwriting. Two year non budget impasse over local taxes and voter suppression that have nothing to do with a budget. His only accomplishment is being a voice in Springfield
- Nikolas Name - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 3:31 pm:
I really wish he’d be honest with us. Bruce Rauner is working for Bruce Rauner.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 16, 17 @ 4:00 pm:
–I really wish he’d be honest with us.–
LOL, he has to spin like crazy to achieve a 36% approval rating, according to the Simon poll.
If he had a fit of honesty, he’d fall below the Mendoza line.